Usually, people explore and learn about their identity sooner in life, maybe during their teenage years or college. Not you.

Maybe you had a bit of an idea that something was up, but you just kept it hidden. Which is never a good idea, because sooner or later, you'd have to face it.

And now, you wish you did.

It only took a couple failed relationships with men and having a baby with one of them that you realized that you might be into women. Better late than never, no?

You felt out of place when you walked into your local lesbian bar. You always drove past it, looking over a couple times, but being there in person felt unreal.

Trying to flirt with people on those dating apps was awkward enough, you could do this right. You had to.

You decided to sit on the bar and hope for the best. And maybe you did get the best, you just didn't know it.

One of the bartenders approached you with a charming half smile, kitchen towel thrown over one of her broad shoulders. Vibrant pink hair and silver piercings that were glowing in the dim lights. By the name tag on her shirt, you learned her name is Vi.

"What can I getcha, gorgeous?" She asked, leaning over and eyeing you with curious yet respectful eyes.

Vi knows her locals, even knows those girls who have boyfriends and act all straight but then end up coming by during the weekend, and she didn't recognize you.

Fuck it, you thought, she's hot and god knows if someone else will even try and talk to me. You ended up chatting her up.

And it went... surprisingly well, even if she kept on mixing drinks for other costumers. When she learned your age, she just whistled and complimented you, saying those years look good on you. When you mentioned being a mother, she asked some easy questions about it. It felt almost too good to be true; either that or you were too paranoid about this whole thing.

You spent the whole time there talking to Vi, which would be a little sad if you weren't already interested in her. But you had to go home eventually.

"C'mon, just one last drink. It won't kill ya'," Vi pushed, and how could you say no? One last drink it was.

Vi slipped it towards you with a wink. "This one's on the house," she said, walking away to tend someone. When you lifted your glass, you noticed a note hidden under; what you assumed to be Vi's number written on it, alongside a little heart on the corner.